The Veteran’s Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), otherwise known as VEAP, offers educational assistance to veterans who have submitted payments into the program throughout the duration of their service. In general, veterans have ten years from their date of discharge to use their education benefits. Some ineligible veterans still have unused contributions and are entitled to a refund. 

Veterans or next of kin potentially eligible for a refund would have entered active duty between January 1, 1977, through June 30, 1985, and served for 24 months continuous and without a dishonorable discharge. They would have contributed to VEAP while on active duty before April 1, 1987, and not used all their contributions. Veterans who were/are discharged before they complete 24 months of service are still eligible if there is a service-connected disability. This includes those rated for a compensable service-connected disability even if they were not discharged for that disability.

Steps involved in requesting a refund include completing Sections 1-6, 14, 15, and 18 of VA Form 22-5281 here and mailing the form to the correct Regional Processing Office in either Buffalo, New York, or Muskogee, Oklahoma, depending on where you live. A map that displays the proper region for each processing center is accessible here. VA’s response time for the forms is 3-4 weeks.